Deadly blasts, assassination strike Iraq before election

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Iraqi boys inspect the site of a car bomb attack in Baghdad's district of Sadr City on April 16, 2013.

Story highlights

A prosecutor in Falluja is assassinated Wednesday night, police say

Four blasts in and around Baghdad killed at least three people Wednesday

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad released a statement condemning the violence

Attacks included a car bombing of an Iraqi army convoy, a bombing near a police station

Four blasts in and around Baghdad killed at least three people and wounded 16 on Wednesday, police said.

Violence has persisted in recent days in the lead-up to Iraq's provincial elections scheduled for Saturday.

The latest attacks included a car bombing of an Iraqi army convoy, a car bombing near a police station, a roadside bomb that struck a politician's convoy and another roadside bomb, police say.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad released a statement on Tuesday condemning the ongoing violence, some of which has targeted people running for office.

"These attacks have killed more than a dozen candidates and injured many others." the statement said. "Such terrorist acts are a cowardly and unacceptable attempt to undermine Iraq's democracy and a desperate effort to intimidate Iraqis and deter them from participating in the democratic process."